‘Suits LA’ Review: Stephen Amell Flounders in NBC’s Tonally Confused, Narratively Jumbled Legal Drama

by

After three episodes, NBC’s Suits LA has found itself roughly in line with what one might anticipate from a show titled Suits LA. The cast, who are attractively ordinary, engage in witty dialogue as a matter of course. The plot revolves around professional adversaries and possible office romances, navigating challenging clients and unyielding judges. Numerous scenes feature the CCA building in Century City, a familiar sight to those living near the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.

Perhaps, it’s not quite as enjoyable or bubbly as the Original Flavor Suits just yet, and no characters from the original show have made an appearance to clarify the connection. However, you can sense the attempt at reaching that level of appeal and perhaps even surpassing it in the future. In summary, this spinoff could certainly have started in a more promising way.

The issue, indeed, lies in the fact that it isn’t the debut; instead, it’s the third installment. Despite NBC’s hopes for this series to last for many seasons, this detail is significant because the opening episode is so poorly executed and confounding that it could discourage potential viewers from sticking around to see if things improve.

When I criticize the pilot as being poor, it’s not just about typical issues such as uninteresting dialogue or shallow characters. Instead, it’s filled with decisions that make you question its origins. One of its most absurd and potentially offensive elements is a plot twist that I can’t disclose here. There are many other aspects that don’t succeed either.

Let’s begin with our main character, Ted (played unusually subdued by Stephen Amell). He’s an attorney in the entertainment industry who’s constantly yelling at friends and peers, belittling his clients, and appearing as if he’s perpetually in a fit of rage. Despite this, Ted has deep-seated psychological issues that stem from his past, particularly his time as a federal prosecutor in New York, where he took down mobsters. However, these backstory revelations don’t make him more intriguing. In fact, some might rather destroy their careers, lose all their relationships, and relocate to another city than confront their daddy issues through therapy.

Regardless, none of the other characters appear to take issue with him. On the contrary, in the pilot episode, everyone seems to treat him as if he’s the center around which they all revolve – whether it’s Carson A. Egan, his younger brother who worships Ted without a hint of inner thought, the junior lawyers vying for his approval, or John Amos portraying a client who’s dissatisfied with the firm but still eager to provide Ted with wise advice about his family troubles. It’s acceptable for a series to revolve around a character who is prickly, arrogant, and self-centered. However, it becomes annoying when the show expects you to instinctively admire this character as a genuinely good person.

The pilot seems oddly mixed, with moments reminiscent of the humor found in Suits – such as the playful banter between Ted and a witty pro bono attorney portrayed by Maggie Grace. This added levity makes the overall production even more puzzling and overloaded, as if creator Aaron Korsh delivered a serious drama about a high-profile lawyer taking down the East Coast mafia, and then NBC hastily inserted additional scenes at the last minute to transform it into a Suits spinoff.

Fortunately, the upcoming episodes show noticeable enhancements if the intention is indeed to expand upon the “Suits” universe. The second hour predominantly revolves around Ted, who struggles with taking on a criminal defense case due to his former prosecutor inclination that suspects anyone needing such representation is automatically guilty. However, a subplot featuring rival attorneys Rick (Bryan Greenberg) and Erica (Lex Scott Davis) vying for the business of an up-and-coming starlet (Victoria Justice) offers a refreshing sense of levity. Even though watching the episode might feel like switching between two completely unrelated shows, it’s pleasant to get the occasional respite from Ted’s brooding.

The third one, which was highlighted at the start of this critique and was the last sent to critics, tilts the scale even more. Now, it primarily offers a lighthearted blend of comedy and drama centered around showbiz-related legal disputes, with brief forays into a heavier, dramatic exploration of Ted’s personal struggles. Despite these improvements, there’s still plenty of room for further development. With the exception of Ted and perhaps Erica, portrayed by Davis, most characters lack unique identities. Some characters even share the same appearance; Ted’s ex Samantha (Rachelle Goulding), his assistant Roslyn (Azita Ghavizada), and district attorney Elizabeth (Sofia Pernas) are all indistinguishable in terms of their physical characteristics, favoring body-con office attire and expressing affection for Ted.

Among the three distinct variations of this series so far, this one seems to be the most universally appealing. It subtly sets up a charming odd-pair friendship between refined Erica and eccentric junior lawyer Leah (Alice Lee), and even offers a tantalizing peek into Ted’s intricate past with his best friend, the charismatically bearded Stuart (Josh McDermitt). The storylines also take on a more engaging and entertainment-focused tone, with one plotline featuring Brian Baumgartner, most recognized for his role as Kevin Malone on The Office, growing tired of being primarily known for that role and pressuring his lawyers to introduce him to other famous clients who can help him break out.

If Suits LA was their debut episode, I would’ve called it a bit rough around the edges but not entirely off-putting. I would’ve pointed out the glimmers of promise in the cast, expressing my belief that a Los Angeles spin-off of Suits seemed like an instant hit, and that it truly deserved another chance to blossom into its full potential.

As a gamer, I’ve tried to jump back into this game three times now, but it feels more like a third life than a fresh start. The first two attempts seemed to struggle with who they wanted to be, indicating a deep identity crisis. While Ted has some charm that makes me give him another shot, I’m starting to question whether I should keep investing my time in this series.

Perhaps one day, it will manage to shake off the gloom that seems to surround Ted and reach for the bright skies hinted at by its title. But honestly, I can’t see myself sticking around to witness that transformation.

Read More

2025-02-22 01:55